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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 1862n-6. Undergraduate education reform
(a) In general
The Director shall award grants, on a competitive, merit-reviewed
basis, to institutions of higher education to expand previously
implemented reforms of undergraduate science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology education that have been demonstrated to
have been successful in increasing the number and quality of
students studying toward and completing associate's or
baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or
technology.
(b) Uses of funds
Activities supported by grants under this section may include -
(1) expansion of successful reform efforts beyond a single
course or group of courses to achieve reform within an entire
academic unit;
(2) expansion of successful reform efforts beyond a single
academic unit to other science, mathematics, engineering, or
technology academic units within an institution;
(3) creation of multidisciplinary courses or programs that
formalize collaborations for the purpose of improved student
instruction and research in science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology;
(4) expansion of undergraduate research opportunities beyond a
particular laboratory, course, or academic unit to engage
multiple academic units in providing multidisciplinary research
opportunities for undergraduate students;
(5) expansion of innovative tutoring or mentoring programs
proven to enhance student recruitment or persistence to degree
completion in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology;
(6) improvement of undergraduate science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology education for nonmajors, including
education majors; and
(7) implementation of technology-driven reform efforts,
including the installation of technology to facilitate such
reform, that directly impact undergraduate science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology instruction or research experiences.
(c) Selection process
(1) Applications
An institution of higher education seeking a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Director at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the Director
may require. The application shall include, at a minimum -
(A) a description of the proposed reform effort;
(B) a description of the previously implemented reform effort
that will serve as the basis for the proposed reform effort and
evidence of success of that previous effort, including data on
student recruitment, persistence to degree completion, and
academic achievement;
(C) evidence of active participation in the proposed project
by individuals who were central to the success of the
previously implemented reform effort; and
(D) evidence of institutional support for, and commitment to,
the proposed reform effort, including a description of existing
or planned institutional policies and practices regarding
faculty hiring, promotion, tenure, and teaching assignment that
reward faculty contributions to undergraduate education equal
to, or greater than, scholarly scientific research.
(2) Review of applications
In evaluating applications submitted under paragraph (1), the
Director shall consider at a minimum -
(A) the evidence of past success in implementing
undergraduate education reform and the likelihood of success in
undertaking the proposed expanded effort;
(B) the extent to which the faculty, staff, and
administrators of the institution are committed to making the
proposed institutional reform a priority of the participating
academic unit;
(C) the degree to which the proposed reform will contribute
to change in institutional culture and policy such that a
greater value is placed on faculty engagement in undergraduate
education, as evidenced through promotion and tenure policies;
and
(D) the likelihood that the institution will sustain or
expand the reform beyond the period of the grant.
(3) Grant distribution
The Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that
grants awarded under this section are made to a variety of types
of institutions of higher education.
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